About

The Traveler-April 2016

Just a reluctant traveler who wandered into the Sandwich Generation and can’t seem to figure out where the journey leads.

There must be a reason why I’m here in this place, at this time. That is the one thing I have to believe in. The Accidental Time Traveler is a blog devoted to caregivers and others, like me, who are becoming new members of the “Sandwich Generation”. It is for all of the travelers on this road because when I looked, I couldn’t find any. I want this to be our community and we can build this together. No one person can change the world, but one person who understands what your life is like can change how you feel.

Why am I “The Accidental Time Traveler”? I’m a 56 year-old mom to three beautiful girls. I have a husband who is (in my opinion) eligible for sainthood. My Mom (85) and Dad (91) moved in a few years ago. . I graduated from University in May 2015 with a BA in Art History and a BFA in Digital Media. Honestly, my plans were to get a job when I graduated from college, not to put my life on hold. My plans were to work in a museum full-time, being busy, but doing what I love. My spare time would be spent with my family, taking occasional trips and enjoying the freedoms that come from having your youngest child becoming more independent.

Something happened along the way.

I want it think it was an accident. I don’t want to think this is the plan for my life. The map didn’t show my mom starting to lose her balance or my dad starting to get confused. The neurologist telling me they could no longer drive themselves was not part of the plan either. Two years into the trip I can look back and see there were lots of unplanned highlights on our journey to now. It certainly didn’t include having to choose between my parent’s safety and visiting my older daughters, who live two hours away. I would hope my destiny isn’t defined by my ability to install locks on my doors to keep a family member in instead of a stranger out or to worry about who takes what medications and when.